Independence day celebrations: National anthem echoes across the Punjab

The national flag was raised at public buildings in the province

DERA GHAZI KHAN/ BAHAWALPUR/ FAISALABAD:

The national flag was raised at public buildings across the province and dozens of ceremonies were organised for Independence Day festivities on Friday.

In Faisalabad, a ceremony was held at the Commissioner’s Office. The participants raised the national flag and sang the national anthem. Police and Rescue 1122 teams marched past the flag as the national anthem was being performed by school children.

Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs and Human Rights Khalil Tahir Sindhu, Commissioner Nasim Nawaz, RPO Ehsan Tufail, DCO Noorul Amin Mengal, CPO Afzaal Ahmad Kausar and Pakistan movement worker Haji Bashir Ahmad were among the guests at the ceremony.

Addressing the guests, Sindhu said, “On Pakistan’s 68th birthday, we should renew our pledge to struggle for a prosperous and peaceful country,”

He said everyone should promote solidarity and tolerance.

Sweets were distributed among the participants at the end of the ceremony.

The district administration organised various sports competition. A national song contest was organised by Faisalabad Arts Council.

Sweets and fruits were distributed at Faisalabad Allied Hospital and the DHQ hospital, the Darul Amaan, the SOS Village and the orphanage. A jeep rally was also organised. DCO Noorul Amin Mengal participated in the drive.

In Dera Ghazi Khan, a ceremony was held at Dera Ghazi Khan Arts Council.

The national flag was raised following a two-minute silence.

Additional Commissioner Qazi Zafar Iqbal, DCO Nadeemur Rehman, MPAs Syed Abdul Aleem Shah, Najma Arshad, Political Assistant to Chief Minister Mir Mirza Talpur participated in the ceremony.

Addressing the participants, the DCO said many lives were sacrificed for independence.

“It is important to remember the sacrifices of our forefathers for the country,” he said. “We should set aside all the differences and devote our energies to unite the people of the country,” he said.

He also paid tributes to the armed forces.

Independence day celebrations were also held at relief camps of.

The assistant commissioner hoisted the national flag at the Ghazi Ghat relief camp.

Children at the camp sang patriotic songs and made speeches.

The district administration distributed gifts and sweets among the children.

A ceremony was also arranged at a relief camp in Jhakkar Imam Shah. EDO Finance Sarfaraz Magsi participated in the ceremony.

In Bahawalpur, a ceremony was organised at Dring Stadium where Commissioner Bahawalpur Division Saqib Zafar, Member Assembly Begum Parveen Masood Bhatti, Haseena Begum, DPO Bahawalpur Sarfraz Ahmad Falki and acting DCO Imrana Ajmal hoisted the flag. Pigeons and balloons were released.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2015.